Impact of relaxing teacher licensing requirements

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of a Texas policy that relaxed teacher licensing requirements and created a large for-profit training industry. 

Using detailed administrative data, the study shows that for-profit-trained teachers have higher turnover and lower value-added than standard-trained teachers. But the policy significantly increased the supply of certified teachers, reducing schools' reliance on uncertified teachers with even worse outcomes, leaving a zero net impact on student achievement due to these offsetting forces. Thus lower licensing requirements improved access to teaching and reduced training costs without harming students.